Hummus

Hummus is a classic bean spread, popular as a mezze (appetizer) in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. Classic hummus doesn’t contain the ingredients such as roasted peppers, spinach, artichokes, or sun-dried tomatoes seen in many supermarket brands, but if you want to add any of these to your hummus, have fun being creative! You can serve hummus with pita bread or with cucumbers, radishes, carrots, and bell peppers.

Add the chickpeas and process until smooth. You may need to add more water if the consistency is too thick. Add enough cold water to achieve a spreadable consistency.

When you’re ready to serve, spoon the hummus onto a shallow plate. (If you make hummus ahead of time, the mixture will thicken as it stands. You may need to thin it with water. ) Smooth it with a spoon or spatula. If desired, sprinkle with olive oil, parsley, or other optional garnishes listed above.

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